Red Orange on Standard Barred Rock's Feet

[chknoodles]

We have a gorgeous standard Barred Rock cockerel who is nearing his one year mark (we think, because he was a re-homed bird we took when he was pre-crow young). Anyhow, he started out with nice yellow legs and now we see bright red-orange on his legs and feet..and the webbing between his toes. He is healthy, active and feathered to near perfection..great comb...but what's with this coloration on the feet?

He is eating layer pellets with his girls because he lives in a large breeding pen.

Anyone???

 

[Judy]

It sounds like his hormones are getting thoroughly cranked up. You will also sometimes see this effect in hens, though in mine, it was much more obvious in the males.

 

[Pathfinders]

I agree, the reddish orange is just a sign that hormonally your young rooster is ready to breed hens. Nothing to worry about, completely normal.

 

[Fred's Hens]

 

[chknoodles]

So does the red-orange go away? If not, it isn't a problem if you take the bird to a show? I do have one hen with some of the red-orange and she has been laying for about a month...but Theo (the cockerel) doesn't have all his moves down yet because we got a fairly poor hatch rate last time we tried. Have 9 of his girls' eggs in the 'bator now that get candled on the 10th. Amazing the difference in breeds, our Buff Orpington cockerel was super fertile just a month or so after he started crowing.

 

[flockanuts]

I'm so glad you asked this question because my Partridge Rock rooster also has the red down his legs and between his toes. I was gonna ask but you beat me to it. Thank you!!!!!

 

[Judy]

I have no idea! I'd suggest you check out some threads in our Showing forum, here, or post a thread there, where there are plenty of members familiar with showing.

 

[Pathfinders]

So does the red-orange go away? If not, it isn't a problem if you take the bird to a show? I do have one hen with some of the red-orange and she has been laying for about a month...but Theo (the cockerel) doesn't have all his moves down yet because we got a fairly poor hatch rate last time we tried. Have 9 of his girls' eggs in the 'bator now that get candled on the 10th. Amazing the difference in breeds, our Buff Orpington cockerel was super fertile just a month or so after he started crowing.

No, it doesn't go away, and is no problem if you take a chicken to a show. The judge will just recognize that the bird is ready to be bred!